Triathlon Painful, But Satisfying

Mon., Sept. 1, 1997

Beth Kowal, Mead

There it towers. The Washington Water Power building. So close, yet so far.

My legs are numb. Sweat drips down my face. My body’s about to die. My limbs cry out in agony as I run neck to neck with my competitor.

Boy, was I having fun.

The pain and torture I voluntarily put myself through was for the YMCA’s Plunge, Pedal and Plod Triathlon. I really looked forward to the day I would swim 500 meters, ride my bike 12 miles and then run three miles. All without stopping.

Ever since the beginning of high school, I set a goal to complete a triathlon before I graduated. I believed this would be the ultimate test to see what I was capable of. I have run cross-country since seventh grade and I loved to bike ride. All I needed was to polish my swimming skills. Piece of cake, right?

I was about to find out.

I was up early this morning, feeling strong and ready. But the butterflies in my stomach won’t stop. Checking in gives me a little hope. My number is 123 and I tell myself it’s a sign. This will be as easy as one, two, three.

Off I go, swimming like a skittish water bug, up and back five times through Mission Pool’s dazzling blue chlorinated water. I keep a steady pace, trying to ignore the fact that almost everyone else was already out of the pool.

Sixteen minutes later I crawl out of the pool. With one hand rubbing sunblock on my back and the other trying to put socks and bike shoes on my feet, I try to make the transition as fast as possible.

I scurry onto my bike. Pump, pump, pump. Pulling up the rear, I pedal my legs out. As I feel my knees burning, I realize I have 10 more miles to go.

I settle down to an adequate pace. It dawns on me: I am finally competing in my first triathlon.

With the bike part almost behind me, I’m close to my goal. All I have to do now is run.

It’s a unique feeling. My quads and rear end feel like lead. I wonder, “Why in the world would anybody put themselves through this torture? Why am I?”

I think the main reason is the awesome feeling of accomplishment. When I have trouble in other areas of my life I can look back and see that I had the strength to complete a triathlon. If I can do that, I can do anything.

It doesn’t take a superperson to complete a triathlon. It only takes determination and the will to put your body through a little more pain that it desires. People young and old, next door neighbors and even English teachers compete in triathlons.

I catch up with the other girl in my age group and we start talking. Anything to keep my mind off my body’s painful messages. I can’t wait to finish. I push my body and give a little sprint at the end. One second ahead of of my competitor, I cross the finish line.

As happy as I was to get first place, I was most relieved just to be finished. No, I’m not a new person because I finished a triathlon, but I now know I can accomplish any goal I set for myself. All it takes is will and a little bit of craziness.

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